There are big city marathons and scenic marathons, flat and fast PR opportunities and trail endurance challenges, individual races and team relays.

I’ve run in or watched them all, but until last weekend, I’d never seen an underwater marathon.

I attended the first-ever HydoWorx Underwater Marathon in Hershey Sept. 9 on my way home from a short beach vacation. The event, held at Troeg’s Brewing, showcased HydroWorx underwater treadmills used as therapy and training equipment.

HydroWorx is a Pennsylvania company which produces therapy and conditioning pools. Their underwater treadmill is used by those requiring low impact activity in either rehabilitation or training.

The underwater treadmill is ideal for low impact rehabilitation as the chest- deep water reduces body weight by 80 percent. A 200 pound man, for example, weighs a mere 40 pounds on the treadmill. That eliminates stress on knees, hips and back.

I spoke with one underwater marathon participant who had endured several knee surgeries and testified to the value of the underwater treadmill in both rehabilitation and post-rehab. He told me that underwater running has allowed him to keep his fitness level high even though he can no longer run on the roads or trails.

Underwater running is also beneficial to those who aren’t injured, but are looking to maximize training. Hydrostatic pressure of the water helps remove lactic acid and metabolic waste, allowing runners to run longer without residual soreness. Resistance therapy jets can be regulated to make the workout more or less challenging. Several elite distance runners, including Galen Rupp and Mo Farah, have used the underwater treadmill as a training tool.

HydroWorx advertises that anyone can use isproducts safely and easily. Several children took their turns in the marathon relay division of the Underwater Marathon.

In many ways, the underwater marathon was logistically easier to conduct than a road or trail event. There were no routes to map and certify, roads to monitor and close, or emergency and medical personnel to dispatch to various points. And viewing was certainly easier on spectators and supporters who watched from a viewing platform or big screen monitors as they sipped freshly made Troeg’s brews.

Still, it took hundreds of volunteers and days of preparation to set up four large therapy pools, viewing platforms and associated equipment in the brewery’s parking lot. Each pool held four HydroWorx underwater treadmills and because of limited capacity, the marathon was held in two heats — one at 7 a.m., the other at 1 p.m.

More than 200 people participated in the Hydroworx Underwater Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K or Team Relay. This included more than a dozen wounded warriors from various branches of the United States military.

The underwater marathon was held specifically to raise money for the Eagle Fund, a fund that offers rehabilitation to wounded United States military personnel through the Andrews Institute Foundation.

Participants raised funds individually or were sponsored by corporations and far surpassed their fund-raising goal, raising more than $350,000 for the cause. Additionally, several other underwater treadmill events were held throughout the country on the same day to support the Hershey event and to raise additional funds for wounded warriors through the Eagle Fund. If you would like to contribute to this worthwhile cause, donations are still being accepted at www.underwatermarathon.com

Upcoming events Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Post run coffee and snacks. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.comWednesdays, 7 p.m.: MoJo Sports Group Run, Seven Fields. Run three to seven miles with friends. 724-772-2808Saturday, 8 a.m.: Life Advocates 5K, Grove City. 717-449-3166 or welchat1@gcc.eduSaturday, 9 a.m.: Butler Lions Club Scoot and Toot 5K, Butler. Part of Lions Club Chili Fest. 724-287-4059 or jbindernagel@theblindassociation.orgSaturday, 9 a.m.: Les Haas Memorial Trail Challenge 16K Run and 5K Run/ Walk, Ridgeway. Run on Laurel Mill Trail through Allegheny National Forest. 814-776-5373 or sputt@countyofelkpa.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: 20th Annual 5K Run/ Walk for Humanity, Beaver. Starts at Irvine Park. 724-683-0234 or register online at www.habitat5k.orgSunday, 9 a.m.: Elorapalooza 5K/ 1 mile Run, Walk or Lolligag, North Park. 412-608-2135 or www.elorashope.comSunday, 12 noon: Junior Great Race, Pittsburgh. Run and fun for kids in Point State Park. 412-255-2493 or www.rungreatrace.comSept. 29, 9 a.m.: Patrick J. Madden Memorial 5K Run and Walk, Slippery Rock. www.patmadden5k.orgSept. 29, 9 a.m.: 28th Annual United Way of Clarion County 5K and 10K Race, Clarion. Cash prizes to top finishers. 814-226-8760 or clarionunitedway@verizon.netSept. 30, 8 a.m.: The Great Race 5K, Pittsburgh. Point to point from Oakland to downtown. 412-255-2493 or www.rungreatrace.comSept. 30, 9 a.m.: Wine Fest Stride ‘n’ Stomp 5K Run/ Walk. Bring a towel for the post race grape stomp. 814-323-6060 or tjenks33@gmail.comSept. 30, 9:30 a.m.: Great Race 10K, Pittsburgh. Point to point from Frick Park to downtown. 12-255-2493 or www.rungreatrace.comOct. 5, 6 p.m.: Elderton 5K, Elderton. 724-354-3779 or rfrailey@windstream.netOct. 6, 8 a.m.: Run Shadyside 5K, Pittsburgh. Flat and fast. 610-554-5621 or csimitz@hotmail.comOct. 6, 9 a.m.: Small and Mighty 5K, Portersville. Starts at Moraine State Park North Shore. daniellekelly@trulyunique.comOct. 6, 9 a.m.: Applefest Race a Race for Any Pace 5K, Franklin. Also kids run. 814-432-2138 or dkrizon@franklinymca.orgOct. 6, 9 a.m.: Her Times 5K, Erie. Women’s race starts at Presque Isle State Park Rotary Pavilion. Free babysitting for preregistered.www.hertimes.comOct. 7, 10 a.m.: Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners Fall Classic, Highland Park. Choice of 10K, 5K or 2 miles, starts at Highland Park Pool. 412-276-1800Oct. 13, 9 a.m.: Race for Pace 5K Run/ Walk, Churchill. Also one mile Paws for Pace Dog Walk. Call 412-342-4302 or register online at www.paceschool.orgOct. 13, 9 a.m.: Good Samaritan Hospice 5K Run/ Walk and One Mile Fun Walk, North Park. Starts at boat house. Register at www.stlukelutheran.gsh5k.comOct. 13, 9 a.m.: Mahoning Shuffle Half Marathon and 5K, Punxsutawney. 814-938-7700 or www.punxsutawney.comOct. 13, 9 a.m.: Fall Foliage Classic 5K, Shawnee State Park, Everett. 814-652-0025Oct. 20, 9 a.m.: Golden Tornado Art on the Run 5K & Children’s Fun Run, Butler. Starts at Butler High School. ArtontheRun5k@gmail.comOct. 20, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Freeport. Point to point on Butler-Freeport Rail Trail. No race day registrations. www.butlerfreeporttrail.orgOct. 20, 3 p.m.: MS Monster Stomp 5K Race, Walk and Goblin Trot, New Castle. Also post race Monster Bash. 724-658-8583 or www.msmonsterstomp.com

Race resultsMontour Trail Half Marathon, Sept. 8: James Gordish, 1st Overall M, 1:15:29; Jamie Morgenstern, 1st Overall W, 1:24:49; Robert Pudlo, 3rd 45-49 M, 1:36:06; Jennifer Marcotte, 3rd 35-39 W, 1:42:14; Lauren Case, 1st 16-19 W, 1:55:05; Julie Case, 2nd 13-15 W, 2:20:49; Mark Hunkele, 1:28:27; William Huber, 1:31:44; John Armstrong, 1:39:48; Adam Shoup, 1:43:49; Brian Connell, 1:44:31; Katie Heckman, 1:46:52; Meghan Emanuel, 1:47:23; Philip Mathew, 1:47:37; Jeff Hans, 1:48:09; Rick Paese, 1:48:38; David Bowser, 1:50:03; Matthew Johnson, 1:52:25; Patty Schmidt, 1:52:34; William Marsh, 1:53:13; Heather Slater, 1:53:16; Nancy Thenthongkham, 1:57:36; Paul Cooper, 1:58:43; Karen Lyle, 2:00:30; Nicholas Kreiser, 2:02:58; Russell Michaels, 2:03:18; Dana Hartley, 2:07:06; Julie Forde, 2:07:30; Bonnie Case, 2:16:33; Heidi McLaughlin, 2:17:11; Stephen Cooper, 2:17:46; Scott Meiser, 2:18:34; Roger Black, 2:20:40; Alfred Schnabel, 2:25:42; Keith Arner, 2:26:24; Shawn Bobbert, 2:30:43; Cindy Rosenquist, 2:34:08; Alex Wolfe, 2:41:31; Tami Bentley, 2:47:34; Erica Lynn, 2:58:44Montour Trail 5K, Sept. 8: Steve Kirkland, 1st Overall M, 16:44; Laura Harnish, 1st Overall W, 17:39; T,J. Pynos, 1st 45-49 M, 21:00; Gayle Shubert, 3rd 60-64 W, 30:49; Duke Snyder, 1st 65-69 M, 31:35; Lisa DiTullio, 29:09Adams Township 5K, Sept. 8: Michael Baumgartner, 1st Overall M, 18:20; Greg Schiller, 2nd Overall M, 19:56; Christina Mackerell, 1st Overall W, 20:10; Mark Knapp, 3rd Overall M, 20:47; Lindsey Brand, 2nd Overall W, 24:14; Emma Gentile, 3rd Overall W, 24:15; Jodi Lobert, 1st 40-49 M, 20:53; Steve Seguilla, 1st 30-39 M, 21:10; Michael Segulla, 2nd 30-39 M, 21:44; Raymond Evers, 3rd 30-39 M, 21:44; Robert Grant, 1st 60+ M, 22:42; Bruce Barnes, 1st 50-59 M, 22:50; Brian Kaleida, 2nd 40-49 M, 23:26; Frank Gajewski, 3rd 40-49 M, 24:11; Mackenzie Schutt, 1st 13-19 W, 24:42; Benjamin Hess, 1st 20-29 M, 24:52; Nathan Kaleida, 25:12; Nichole Rebholz, 1st 30-39 W, 25:15; Michele Lobert, 1st 40-49 W, 25:38; Constance Giuffre, 1st 50-59 W, 25:48; Jennifer Jones, 2nd 40-49 W, 25:54; Janice Hogan, 2nd 30-39 W, 25:57; Lori McClafferty, 3rd 40-49 W, 26:02; Christina Beaver, 3rd 30-39 W, 26:27; Geena Richards, 2nd 13-19 W, 27:17; Larry Cooper, 2nd 60+ M, 27:46; James Demore, 3rd 50-59 M, 27:52; Glenn Brennan, 3rd 60+ M, 27:57; Andy Schultz, 1st 13-19 M, 29:14; Daniel Linden, 2nd 20-29 M, 29:26; Jordan Griffith, 2nd 12 & Under M, 30:07; Brooke Barnes, 1st 20-29 W, 31:00; Jennifer McMillen, 2nd 20-29 W, 31:14; Lauren Neuhaeusler, 2nd 20-29 W, 31:15; Barbars Ford, 2nd 50-59 W, 34:12; Barbara Barnes, 3rd 50-59 W, 34:21; Marcia Semple, 1st 60+ W, 34:37; Lilyan Hixon, 1st 11 & Under W, 39:24; Julia Griffith, 2nd 11 & Under W, 45:10; Gary Farrar, 23:20; David Schutt, 24:47; Charlene Kurpakus, 27:02; Tracey Smith, 27:04; James Sherman, 27:12; Srt Rechtenwald, 27:19; John Pristas, 28:05; Anthony Kulfan, 28:17; Darrell Bitner, 28:52; Michael Gianechini, 29:06; Tom Griffith, 30:08; Chris Stauffer, 30:27; Krista Kelley, 30:31; Melissa Kennedy, 31:51; Melissa Hilliard, 32:01; Amber Aiken, 32:37; Corinne Thielman, 33:45; Jackie Kulfan, 36:40; Jamie Gianechini, 39:26; Becky Taylor, 39:28; Rona Anderson, 40:20; Amy Spence, 40:38; Hubert Dewey, 44:14; Lorraine Hilliard, 44:16; Lesley Griffith, 44:33; Sandy Radanich, 47:07; Mandi Nicki, 47:07; Sandy Dillner, 48:51; Cindy Brack, 48:54Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net